Dispensing package for liquids



Allg# 30, 1933- R. w. WILSON ET A1. 2,128,567

DISPENSING PACKAGE FOR LIQUIDS Filed April l, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l um@ um l FW@ fr Mw MM M Egg@ k35 unit of Figure 6; is slightly smaller than the oval defined by the 35 Patented Aug. 30, 1938 29E UNITED STATES PATENT FFHQE 2,128,567 DISPENSING PACKAGE Fon manips Ralph W. Wilson, New York, and Brent F. Ca-

hoon, Forest Hills, N. Y., assignors to Captive Closures, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application April 1, 1937, Serial No. 134,206 19 Claims. (Cl. 221-14'7) This invention relates to dispensing packages In this connection, it is noted that although for liquids. the package will ordinarily be inverted for dis- In an application led September 16, 1936, pensing, the terms top, bottom, up, down Serial No. 101,046, Patent No. 2,117,296, applicant and the like, will be used herein as referring to 5 Cahoon has disclosed several different forms of a the upright position of the container unless oth- 5 dispensing package in which the liquid is ejected erwise speciiied. Aby a pumping action. According to the invention in its entirety, the

It is an object of the present invention to procap, upon disengagement of the threads, becomes vide a dispensing package of the general type disa pumping element. To this end, there is proclosed in said application 101,046, in which cervided means whereby the cap is capable of a liml0 tain of the parts are of a more simple construcited axial reciprocation with respect to the bottle tion and capable of more economical production. neck when the threads i6, Il are disengaged. In

With this and other objects in View the inventhe present exemplication, carried by the bottle tion consists in the features, combinations, deneck, as later described, is an outwardly and tails of construction and arrangement of parts downwardly extending locking or limiting ange 15 which will first be described in connection with 1.6 located not far below the bottle mouth. Just the accompanying drawings and then more parabove the cap thread il is an internal stop shoulticularly pointed out. der 19 arranged to engage flange I8 upon upward In the drawings,- movement of the cap, to limit such movement and Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View of a packlock the cap against removal. 20 age, including container and cap, constructed in The ange i3 and shoulder i9 may convenientaccordance with the present invention, showing ly be constructed and assembled as described in the cap closed; said application Serial No. 101,046. As there Figure 2 is a similar view sho-wing the cap open shown and described, the iiange is substantially and the container inverted for dispensing; circular and the co-operating shoulder is so 25 Figure 3 is a sectional View (enlarged) taken formed that the in ner edge denes an oval or elon the line 3 3 of Figure 1; lipse. The major axis of this oval is somewhat Figure 4 is a plan view (enlarged) of one of the greater than the diameter of the lower, contactparts; ing edge of the flange and the minor axis is some- Figure 5 is a vertical sectional View (enlarged) what less than such diameter. In assembling the 30 of a modied check valve; v parts, liange and shoulder are brought into con- Figure 6 is a similar view of a further modicatact and application of the necessary force or tion of a check valve; pressure causes the somewhat yieldable metal Figure 7 is a top plan View of the check valve ange to be deformed to oval shape. As this oval Figures 8 and 9 are views similar to Figures 1 shoulder, the shoulder can pass the flange. and 2, illustrating a modied form of package, Thereupon, the flange returns to circular form by and virtue of its inherent resiliency and thereafter Figures 10 and 11 are similar views illustrating the shoulder underlies the angein the manner a further modification. here shown. In referring to circles and ovals, it 40 Referring to the drawings, the embodiment ilis to be understood that the same may be conlustrated as an example in Figures 1 and 2 comtinuous or interrupted. prises a container in the form of a glass bottle or Analternative construction, also described and ask il having a neck l2. Associated with this shown in said application permits the use of a container, in forming the complete package, is a circular shoulder. In this case, the ilange is 45 cap i4 having a skirt I5 which telescopes over` slitted and can contract sufliciently to pass the the bottle neck. This cap may conveniently be shoulder. formed of molded plastic material. Upon disengagement of the threads, the cap'is There is provided means for releasably locking free to be reciprocated, its range of movement or holding the cap in closed position. To this being fixed in one direction by the engagement 50 end, as here shown as an example, near the base of shoulder I9 with flange i3 and in the other of the bottle neck is a short external thread I6 direction by the contact vof threads i6, Il which engaged by a complementary thread l1 on .the thus serve as stops. i interior of the cap skirt and near the bottom For convenience of description, the position of y thereof. y the cap when screwed down on the bottle thread, 55

' cap. Although capable as illustrated in Figure 1, will be referred to as the closed position and the position of the cap when displaced axially until shoulder I9 engages nange it, as illustrated in Figure 2, will be referred to as the open position.

There is provided means for tending to keep the cap in open position when the threads i6, l1 are disengaged. To this end, as here shown as an example, a coiled spring 20 is confined between flange it and the top wall of the cap. As soon as the threads are disengaged, spring 20 moves the cap to the open position of Figure 2.

The invention in its entirety includes a barrel, in the nature oi a pump barrel, carried by the container and a pump plunger operated by the of various constructions, in that shown as an example in Figures 1 and 2, extending down into the bottle neck and supported therefrom as later described, is a metal barrel 23. Reciprocable in this barrel is a pump plunger Eil. `In the present exemplication, an operative connection between plunger and cap is effected by making the plunger an integral part of the cap. The plunger 24 has a central bore 25 communicating with a central bore or port 2t in the top of the cap, bore 25 and port 26 constituting a discharge passage for the container contents.

1n the bottom wall 2l of the barrel is a centrally located inlet port 28 for passage of the container contents to the pump chamber.

The invention in its entirety includes means for controlling the inlet'port and for closing the discharge passage. This may conveniently be accomplished by a floating valve element for controlling the inlet port and having a portion for closing the discharge passage when the cap is closed. To this end, in the embodiment shown as an example in Figures l and 2, in the lower end of the barrel, and floating therein, is a combined valve element comprising a hollow plug portion having a truste-conical top adapted to make sealing engagement with a tapered valve seat 3l formed at the mouth of bore 25. Extending outwardly from the base of plug 30 is a flange 32 which normally seats on the.barrel bottom 21. At the juncture of plug and ange, the valve element has an annular dished portion in the nature of a bead 33 which extends into the port 28. The harige is provided with a plurality of cutouts Sli (Figure 3) for the passage of liquid when the flange lifts from its seat.

Movement of the floating valve element 30-32 is limited one direction by its engagement with the bottom of the barrel and in the other direction by the engagement of flange 32 with a bead 35 struck in from the wall of the barrel and which be continuous or interrupted.

The invention in its entirety includes a floatcneck valve for the discharge passage. To this end, in the exemplication shown in Figures l. and 2, secured in the top of plunger bore 25 with a friction fit is a cup-shaped element 40 havingr an opening il in its. bottom wall. The latter serves as a ported partition in the discharge Floating in cup lll) is a check valve comprising a fiat valve disk d2 which normally seats on the bottom of the cup to close the discharge passage. Extending upwardly from` disk a plurality of lugs i3 which engage the wall of cup il to guide the valve element in its movement. Movement of this check valve is limited in one direction by its engagement with the bottom direction by the enof cup lo and in the other i3 with a bead 44 struck in from gagement of lugs the wall of the cup and which may be continuous or interrupted. The disk i2 is provided with a plurality of cutouts l5 (Figure 4) for the passage of liquid when the check valve lifts from its seat.

While the locking flange i8 and the pump barrel may be associated with and supported from the bottle in various ways, they may conveniently be parts of an attachment unit permanently secured to the bottle neck. To this end, as shown as an example in Figures 1 and 2, the attachment unit includes a metal clamp ring l which embraces the mouth of the bottle. This ring has an inwardly extending V -shaped bend or bead 52 which locks under a shoulder 53 formed by a socalled lock ring Ell at the bottle mouth. This lock ring is similar to the lock ring provided on bottles sealed by closures of the crown cork type. The locking flange i8 is formed as an extension of one leg of the V-shaped bend 52. The clamp ring Eil also has an inturned clamping flange 55 which takes over the lip of the bottle. The pump barrel Z3 is suspended by means of an outwardly extending supporting flange 5t clamped between clamp flange 55 and the bottle lip.

Clamped between supporting flange 5t and clamp flange 55 is a compressible gasket 51 of cork, felt or other suitable material. This gasket, serves to prevent leakage from the barrel and its inner edge makes wiping contact with plunger 24 so that it serves as a pump packing.

Compressed between flange 56 and the bottle lip is a second gasket 58 which serves to prevent leakage from the container up over the bottle lip.

This attachment unit may be constructed and assembled with the bottle in various ways, for example, as described in said application Serial No. 161,046. As there shown and described, the V-shaped bend of the attachment unit is substantially circular and the bottle neck is so formed that the bottle locking ring is oval or elliptical in outline. The major axis of this oval is slightly greater than the diameter of the apex of the V-shaped bend and the minor axis is somewhat less than such diameter. In assembling the attachment with the bottle, V-shaped bend and lock ring are brought together and application of the necessary force or pressure causes the somewhat resilient'metal of the attachment to be deformed to oval shape. As this oval is slightly larger than the oval of the bottle lock ring, the bend can pass the ring. Thereupon, the bend returns to circular form by virtue of its inherent resiliency and snaps under the bottle shoulder.

Other constructions are, of course, possible. As further described and shown in said application Serial No. 101,046, the V-shaped bend may be formed during assembly by a spinning operation. In that case the bottle locking ring may be circular. Or, the shoulder and bend both being circular, the V-shaped bend may be slitted, thus permitting the bend to expand sufficiently to pass the locking ring. [In referring to circles and ovals, it is to be understood that the same may be continuous or interrupted.

Once the parts are assembled, the combined gripping action of bead 52 and clamp flange 55 securely clamps the attachment unit to the container with the pump barrel suspended in the container mouth.

Figure 1 shows the package closed for shipment, storage and when not in use. In this position, the combined valve element 3%-32 is pressed downwardly by the plunger 2li with valve flange 32 engaging barrel bottom 2l. This provides a double seal. The engagement of flange .32 with the barrel bottom, with bead 33 engaging the rim of the inlet port, prevents leakage of liquid from the container into the pump barrel. The engagement of plug 3U with valve seat 3l prevents leakage into the discharge passage of any liquid that may remain in the barrel or that may, by chance, work its way into the latter. Leakage from the barrel to the outside is prevented by gasket 51 and leakage from the container over the bottle mouth is prevented by gasket 58.

When it is desired to obtain an application of the hand lotion or other contents, the cap is unscrewed until the threads I6, l'l disengage, thus freeing the cap which thereupon becomes a pump actuating element. So freed, the cap is moved away from the bottle, by spring 20, until shoulder I8 engages iange i8. During this opening movement, valve seat 3l moves away from plug 3D, thus opening the discharge passage at that point and freeing the valve element Sil-32 to permit the latter to float.

It will be apparent that to dispense the contents, the bottle must be inverted. Whether the cap is opened before or after inversion is immaterial. If before, the initial opening stroke will ordinarily be an idle one and one or more reciprocations of the cap, in the nature of priming strokes, will be necessary after inversion. If the cap is opened after inverting the bottle, such priming may be found necessary. For the purposes of the present description, it will be assumed that the cap is unscrewed after the bottle is inverted (Figure 2) and that no priming stroke is involved.

The movement of the cap to open position and the consequent movement of plunger 24 may be termed the suction stroke of the pump unit. During this stroke, the force of theair which tends to flow into the pump chamber through port 26 causes check valve 42 to seat, thus closing the passage against the entrance of air. Whether the inlet control valve 30-32 openskby gravity when the bottle is first inverted or by gravity or suction or both during the suction stroke is immaterial. In any event, such valve opens at some stage prior to the end of the suction stroke, permitting a ow of liquid into the pump chamber, such flow being the result of gravity, suction or both.

The dispensing operation may be carried out in various ways. For example, the bottle may be held in one hand and the pump-actuating cap reciprocated by a nger of that hand. Or the cap may be actuated by the palm of the other hand. In any event, the cap is moved toward the container until the threads I6, l1 come into contact to limit such movement. This is the compression or expelling stroke of the pump. As a result of this stroke, inlet control valve 30-32 is forced against its seat to close the inlet; check valve l2 is forced open, unless it has previously opened by gravity; and a charge of liquid is forced out through discharge passage 25-26 in the form of a jet. As only a small quantity is delivered on each force stroke, the user may give the pump-actuating cap several rapid reciprocations. Each suction stroke causes or permits the intake of a charge and each force stroke ejects a charge.

After use, the bottle is returned to upright position and the cap closed. While no particular order is necessary, closing of the cap after the bottle is inverted is considered preferable. To close the cap, it is axially moved toward the bottle until the threads make contact and then rotated to cause the threads to mesh. As the cap is screwed down tight, the end of plunger 24 contacts plug 30 and rides valve element 30-32 down, unless the valve has previously seated under gravity. In any event, the final tightening movement causes valve seat 3| to be pressed ltightly against plug 30 and valve 30-32 to be pressed tightly against its seat, thus re-eifecting the double seal previously described.

Instead of having the bottle heldin the hand, it may be supported in a permanently inverted position. In case the supporting holder grips the cap, the relative rotary movement to disengage the threads and the relative axial movement for pumping are effected by moving the bottle instead of the cap.

Figure 5 shows a modification of the check Valve. The cup-shaped insert 40 is the same as above described. The check valve floating therein, instead of having a dat disk, has an annular portion '60 which seats on the bottom of the cup and a conical portion El which plugs port Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a further modification of the check valve. As there shown as an example, secured in the top of plunger bore 25 with a friction t is a cup-shaped element 65 having an opening 65 in its bottom wall. The latter thus serves as a ported partition in the discharge passage. Confined within cup 65 to control the passage is a check valve comprising a cup-shaped valve element 66 made of rubber or other suitable resilient material. The bottom of the rubber cup is domed upwardly and the top of the dome is slitted as, for example, by cross slits 61 such as shown in Figure '7.

'I'he shape of the dome tends to hold the slits closed. Upon the suction stroke, the pressure of the air inwardly against the dome tends to flatten the latter and close the slits more tightly. This closes the discharge passage and prevents entrance of air. On the force stroke, the pressure of the liquid against the underside of the rubber valve element tends to extend the dome, thus separating or vopening slits 61 for the passage of the liquid.

In the modification of Figures 8 and 9, the attachment unit, which carries the pump barrel, comprises a metal skirt 10 having an internal broken thread 'll which engages an external broken thread 12 on the neck 'I3 of bottle 14. Extending inwardly from skirt 10 is a ange 15. Between this flange and the lip'of the bottle is a co-mpressible gasket 16 of cork, pulp board or other suitable material.

Forming part of the attachment unit is a pum-pbarrel 'H extending down into the bottle neck. This barrel has an enlarged upper portion 18, the difference in diameter providing a ledge or shoulder 19. At the top of this enlarged portion is an outwardly extending flange 80 conned between flange 'l5 and gasket '16, whereby the barrel is suspended in the bottle. When the attachment unit is assembled on the bottle, the tightening of the screw-thread engagement causes gasket 'I6 to be compressed, thereby to prevent leakage from the bottle over the bottle lip.

Seated on ledge 'i9 and compressed by the down-turned rim of ange l5 is a gasket 8l of felt, rubber or other suitable material. This gasket prevents leakage from the pump barrel and its inner edge makes wiping contact with the pump plunger, thereby serving as a pump packing.

Telescoping over the skirt lll of the attachment unit is a metal cap having a` skirt 84 and a top portion 95, the latter having a central opening. The pump plunger of the embodiment under consideration is not integral with the cap but is associated therewith to form an operating unit. To this end, the pump plunger comprises a head it having a recess Bl; a stem 88 of less diameter than the barrel; and a piston-like portion S9 having a running t in the barrel. Passing through the central opening of the cap and wedged into recess Si is a headed thimble having a port or passage 9|. The head of this thimble engages the top of the cap and its friction t in the head of the plunger unites cap, thimble and plunger as an operating unit.

The pump plunger has a central bore'92. This bore, recess 9i and port 9i constitute a dis.- charge passage for the container contents.

In the bottom of the barrel Tl is an inlet port 93 for the passage of the container contents to the barrel. This inlet port is controlled and the discharge passage is normally closed by a floating valve element 913 which is like the corresponding element of Figures 1 and 2 except that lthe plug portion is dome shaped. A bead 99, struck in from the metal of the barrel and which may be continuous or interrupted, serves to limit upward movement of the oating valve element E34- 95.

In the recess 8l is a floating check valve comprising a flat disk 9'! and upstanding lugs 99 and having cutouts like those of valve 42 for the passage of liquid. This valve normally seats on the bottom of the recess and its upward movement is limited by the engagement of lugs 98 with thimble 99.

There is provided means for releasably locking the cap in closed position. Although capable of various constructions, as shown as an example in Figures 8 and 9, formed in the upper edge of skirt 'ill of the attachment unit and located at diametrically opposed points, are two bayonet grooves itil. Struck inwardly from the metal of the cap skirt 39 are two similarly opposed nibs lill. To lock the cap in closed position, it is given an axial movement to bring nibs lill into engagement with the rim of the skirt 'lil and then an angular movement, if necessary, to bring the nibs in alinement with the vertical portion of the bayonet grooves lilu. A further slight axial movement and a further slight angular or twisting movement cause the nibs to pass into the longitudinal portions of the bayonet groves, thereby locking the cap. To open the cap, it is twisted slightly to bring nibs lll! into line with the vertical portions of the bayonet grooves, whereupon the cap is automatically raised to open position by virtue of a coiled spring i9@ located between iiange l5 and the top of the cap.

In the present exempliflcation, the opening movement of the cap is limited and its removal prevented by the engagement of the piston-like portion 89 of the pump plunger with gasket 8l.

The invention in its entirety includes means whereby air may reach the interior of the bottle as the liquid contents are discharged. Although capable of various constructions, in that shown as an example in Figures 8 and 9, there is a substantial clearance between the stem 98 of the pump plunger and the wall of the barrel Il. Formed in the latter are a plurality of ports or holes 593, located just below ledge 19. It is believed that upon the force stroke of the pump plunger, air is drawn into the space between the pump stem and the barrel, presumably entering between the pump plunger and gasket 8l. This air can then flow, or upon the next suction stroke is forced, out through ports l3 into the bottle. Whether or not this is the true explanation, the fact remains that when ports H33` are provided the flow of air is visually demonstrated and the pump operates satisfactorily, whereas without such ports the construction of Figures 8 and 9 does not operate satisfactorily on thicker liquids.

Figure 8 shows the package closed. In this position valve element 94-95 provides a double seal as in the construction previously described. Upon a twisting movement of the cap to free the bayonet lock, the cap becomes a pumping element. So freed, the cap is moved to the open position of Figure 9 by spring lll. Assuming that the bottle has been inverted, this opening movement constitutes the suction stroke of the pump. During the opening movement, the valve seat formed by the mouth of bore 93 moves away from plug 95, thus opening the discharge passage at that point and freeing valve element Sli-95 to permit the latter to float. By gravity or suction or both, valve 951-95 moves away from its seat. Thereupon, liquid from the bottle flows by gravity or suction or both into the pump barrel. Meanwhile, the force of air tending to flow into the pump chamber through port 9| causes check valve 9'! to shut. It will be seen from Figure 9 that the piston-like portion 89 of the pump plunger prevents any flow of liquid through ports it'ii.

Reverse movement of the cap constitutes the expelling stroke. As a result of this stroke, inlet control valve 9Ll-95 is forced closed; check valve 95-99 is forced open, unless it has previously opened by gravity; and a charge of liquid is forced out through the discharge passage.

The pumping stroke is limited in one direction by the engagement of piston 89 with gasket 8l and in the other direction by the engagement of nibs i9! with the rim of skirt 1D. Should the nibs lli happen to aline with the bayonet grooves m9, the force stroke will be slightly longer because the nibs will later enter the vertical part of the grooves but this difference is immaterial so far as the operation is concerned.

After dispensing, the cap is closed as above described. During the latter part of the axial inward movement of the cap the end of the pump plunger contacts plug 95 and rides valve element down to seated position, unless it has previously seated under gravity, and the final closing movement effects a tight seal between plug 95 and the valve seat in the mouth of bore 92.

To assemble the parts, the attachment unit and cap are assembled together in any suitable manner and the combined assembly is assembled with the bottle simply by screwing the attachment unit down on the bottle thread.

Figures l0 and 11 illustrate a further modification. This is in many respects like the embodiment oi Figures 8 and 9 but includes a pump plunger formed of ldrawn metal shells. That and other diierences are hereinafter more fully referred to.

The attachment unit comprises a skirt ill having an internal broken thread M2 which engages an external broken thread H3 on the neck of the bottle lili. At the top of skirt iii an inwardly extending flat ring portion H5 and an inwardly extending iiange I It, ring and flange being in different planes` Over the bottle lip is a compressible sealing gasket ||1 of cork, pulp board or other suitable material. Held between ring I|5 and gasket is a supporting flange ||8 for the pump barrel I9. Between flange H6 and flange ||8 is a sealing gasket |29 of felt,

rubber or other suitable material. These gaskets perform the same sealing functions, respectively, as gaskets 76, 8| of Figures 8 and 9. Gasket |20 also makes wiping contact with the pump plunger to serve as a pump packing.

The cap comprises a skirt |29 telescoping over the skirt of the attachment unit, and a top portion |29 having a central opening.

The pump plunger is formed in two parts, both of which may be conveniently constructed in the form of drawn metal shells.

What may be termed the outer shell comprises a cylindrical part |25 having a running t in the pump barrel. At the top, the outer shell has an outwardly extending flange |26 and an upwardly extending rim |27. In closed position of the cap, flange |39 engages gasket |20. At the bottom, the shell cylinder |25 has an inwardly extending bottom |28 forming the expelling head of the plunger. Inside this head, the shell is dished upwardly and inwardly to form a conical valve seat |29 and then extends upwardly to form a coupling |39.

The inner shell comprises an upper cylindrical portion |32 and a lower cylindrical portion |33, the two being of a different diameter and joined by an annular shoulder or ledge |34. At the top, cylindrical portion |32 has an outwardly extending flange |35 which overlies rim |21 of the outer shell and underlies the top of the cap.

The lower end of cylindrical portion |33 takes over coupling |39 with a wedging or friction fit. Wedged into upper cylindrical portion |32 with a friction t is a headed thimble |36 having a port or passage |37, the head of the thimble engaging the top of the cap. These two friction connections unite the cap and the two-part pump .plunger into an operating unit.

Between the thimble |36 and ledge |34 is a recess |39. The interior of cylinder |33 opens into the pump barrel through coupling |30 and forms, with recess |39 and port |31, the discharge passage for the container contents.

Located in recess |39 is a floating check valve |49 like the valve ill- 98 of Figures 8 and 9.

The bottom of pump barrel I9 has an inlet port |4| for the passage of the container contents. This inlet port is controlled and the discharge passage is normally closed by a valve unit l 42-I1l3 generally like the valve unit 30-32 of Figures l and 2. The frusto-concal top of dome |43 seats in the valve seat |29.

The cap is releasably locked to the attachment unit by bayonet grooves |45 and nibs |46 like those described in connection with Figures 8 and 9. When the bayonet lock is released, the cap is moved to open position by a spring |41. Opening movement is limited and removal of the cap prevented by the engagement between an internal ange |48 on the bottom of cap skirt |23 and a stop shoulder |99 formed in the skirt III of the attachment unit.

As the embodiment of Figures and 11 is designed more particularly for thinner liquids, the air ports |99 of Figures 8, 9 are omitted. Except for this and except for the variation of the means for limiting opening movement, the operation of the embodiment of Figures l0 and 11 is substantially like that of the embodiment of Figures 8 and 9.

While the invention has been described in connection with a glass bottle, it is apparent that the invention is not limited to any particular kind of container.

What is claimed is:

l. In a dispensing package for liquids, and in combination, a container having a neck, an attachment unit on the container and comprising a barrel extending into the container neck and having an inlet port, a skirted cap, means for releasably locking said cap in closed position, said cap being capable of a reciprocating axial movement with respect to the container when said locking means are released, a plunger operating in said barrel, an operating connection between said plunger and the cap whereby the plunger is reciprocated upon axial reciprocation of the cap, means for limiting such axial movement, a discharge passage for expulsion of liquid by said plunger. said passage having a valve seat, and a freely floating valve element for controlling said inlet port and having a plug-like portion for engaging said valve seat to close the discharge passage when the cap is in closed position.

2. In a dispensing package for liquids, and in combination, a container having a neck, an attachment unit on the container and comprising a barrel extending into the container neck and having an inlet port, a skirted cap, means for releasably locking said cap in closed position, said cap being capable of a reciprocating axial movement with respect to the container when said locking means are released, a plunger operating in said barrel, an operating connection between said yplunger and the, cap whereby the plunger is reciprocated upon axial reciprocation of the cap, means for limiting such axial movement, a discharge passage for expulsion of liquid by'said plunger, said passage having a valve seat, a freely oating valve element for controlling said inlet port and having a plug-like portion for engaging said valve seat to close the discharge passage when the cap is in closed position, and means for limiting the movement of said floating valve element, the range of movement of such valve element being substantially less than the range of reciprocating movement of said plunger.

3. In a dispensing package for liquids, and in combination, a container having a neck, an attachment unit on the container and comprising a barrel extending into the container neck and having an inlet port in its bottom wall, a skirted cap, means for releasably locking said cap in closed position, said cap being capable of a reciprocating axial movement with respect to the container when said locking means are released, a discharge passage for expulsion of liquid by said plunger, said passage having a valve seat, and a freely floating valve element having an annular flange-like portion normally seating on the bottom of said barrel and a plug-like central portion for engaging said valve seat to close the discharge passage when the cap is in closed position.

4. In a dispensing package for liquids, and in combination, a container having a neck, an attachment unit on the container and comprising a barrel extending into the container neck and having an inlet port in its bottom wall, a skirted cap, means for releasably locking said cap in closed position, said cap being capable of a re ciprocating axial movement with respect to the container when said locking means are released, a discharge passage for expulsion of liquid by said plunger, said passage having a valve seat, a freely floating valve element having an annular iiangelike portion normally seating on the bottom of said barrel and a plug-like central portion for engaging said valve seat to close the discharge passage when the cap is in closed position, and a stop element struck in from the metal of said barrel for engagement by said flange-like portion to limit movement of said iioating valve element, said stop element being so positioned that the range of movement of the valve element is substantially less than the range of reciprocating movement of said plunger.

5. In a dispensing package for liquids, and in combination, a container having a neck, an attachment unit on the container and comprising a barrel extending into the container neck and having an inlet port, a skirted cap, means for releasably locking said cap in closed position, said cap being capable of a reciprocating axial movement with respect to the container when said locking means are released, a plunger operating in said barrel, an operating connection between said plunger and the cap whereby the plunger is recipi'ocated upon axial reciprocation of the cap, means for limiting such axial movement, a discharge passage for expulsion of liquid by said plunger, means for controlling said inlet port, means for closing said discharge passage when the cap is in closed position, and a freely oating check valve controlling said discharge passage.

6. In a dispensing package for liquids, and in combination, a container having a neck, an attachment unit on the container and comprising a barrel extending into the container neck and having an inlet port, a skirted cap, means for releasably locking said cap in closed position, said cap being capable of a reciprocating axial movement with respect to the container when said locking means are released, a plunger operating in said barrel, an operating connection between said plunger and the cap whereby the plunger is reciprocated upon axial reciprocation of the cap, means for limiting such axial movement, a discharge passage for expulsion of liquid by said plunger, means for controlling said inlet port, means for closing said discharge passage when the cap is in closed position, a floating check valve for controlling said discharge passage comprising a disk and a plurality of upstanding lugs, supporting means for said check valve, and stop means for engagement by said lugs to limit movement of the valve.

7. In a dispensing package for liquids, and in combination, a container having a neck, an attachment unit on the container and comprising a barrel extending into the container neck and having an inlet port, a skirted cap, means for releasably locking said cap in closed position, said cap being capable of a reciprocating axial movement with respect to the container when said locking means are released, a plunger operating in said barrel and having an internal bore, an operating connection between said plunger and the cap whereby the plunger is reciprocated upon axial reciprocation of the cap, means for limiting such axial movement, a port in the top wall of the cap communicating with the bore of said plunger and forming therewith a discharge passage, a partition located in said bore and having a port, a floating check valve normally seating on said partition for controlling the port therein, means for controlling said inlet port and means for closing the discharge passage when the cap is in closed position.

8. In a dispensing package for liquids, and in combination, a container having a neck, an attachment unit on the container and comprising a barrel extending into the container neck and having an inlet port, a skirted cap, means for releasably locking said cap in closed position, said cap being capable of a reciprocating axial movement with respect to the container when said locking means are released, a plunger operating in said barrel and having an internal bore, an operating connection between said plunger and the cap whereby the plunger is reciprocated upon axial reciprocation of the cap, means for limiting such axial movement, a port in the top wall oi the cap communicating with the bore oi said plunger and forming therewith a discharge passage, a cup-shaped element secured within the plunger bore and having a port in its bottom wall, a floating check valve comprising a disk normally seating on the bottom of said cup-shaped element and a plurality of upstanding lugs, a stop element struck in from the wall of said cup-shaped element for engagement by said lugs to limit the movement of said floating check valve, means for controlling said inlet port and means for closing the discharge passage when the cap is in closed position.

9. In a dispensing package for liquids, and in combination, a container having a neck, an attachment unit on the container and comprising a barrel extending into the container neck and having an inlet port, a skirted cap, means for releasably locking said cap in closed position, said cap being capable of a reciprocating axial movement with respect to the container when said locking means are released, a plunger operating in said barrel and having an internal bore, an operating connection between said plunger and the cap whereby the plunger is reciprccated upon axial reciprocation of the cap, means for limiting such axial movement, a port in the top wall of the cap communicating with the bore of said plunger and forming therewith a discharge passage, a cup-shaped element secured within the bore of the plunger and having an opening in its bottom wall, a check valve in said cup comprising a rubber element having a central dome, said dome having a slit therein, means for controlling said inlet valve, and means for closing the discharge passage when the cap is in closed position.

l0. In a dispensing package for liquids, and in combination, a container having a neck, an attachment unit on the container and comprising a barrel extending into the container neck and having an inlet port, a skirted cap, means for releasably locking said cap in closed position, said cap being capable of a reciprocating axial movement with respect to the container when said locking means are released, a plunger operating in said barrel, an operating connection between said plunger and the cap whereby the plunger is reciprocated upon axial reciprocation of the cap, means for limiting such axial movement, a central bore in said plunger, a discharge passage for expulsion of liquid by the plunger, including said bore, the plunger having an internal shoulder surrounding said bore, a floating check valve normally seating on said shoulder to control said bore, means for limiting movement of said check valve, means for controlling said inlet port and means for closing the discharge passage when the cap is in closed position.

1l. In a dispensing package for liquids, and in combination, a container having a neck, a skirted cap associated with the container neck, means whereby the cap may be releasably locked in closed position, the cap being capable of a reciprocating axial movement with respect to the container when said locking means are released, means for limiting such axial movement, a barrel extending into the container neck and having a controlled inlet port, a plunger operating in said barrel, said plunger comprising a piston-like head having a sliding lit in said barrel and a stem having a diameter smaller than that of the head, an operating connection between said plunger and the cap whereby the plunger is reciprocated upon axial reciprocation of the cap, said barrel having an opening in the wall thereof for the passage of air, a discharge passage for the expulsion of liquid by said plunger and valve means for closing said passage when the cap is in closed position.

12. In a dispensing package for liquids, and in combination, a container having a neck with a lip at the top thereof, an attachment unit comprising a skirted portion outside the container neck and a barrel suspended into the container neck, said barrel having a controlled inlet port, the container neck and the skirted portion of the attachment unit having mutually engaging screw threads, whereby the attachment unit may be secured in place on the container, a sealing gasket compressed against the container` lip when the attachment kunit is threaded into position,v a skirted cap telescoping over said attachment unit, means whereby the cap may be releasably locked in closed position, the cap being capable of a reciprocating axlal movement with respect to the container when said locking means are released, means for limiting such axial movement, a plunger operating in said barrel, said plunger comprising a piston-like head having a sliding t in said barrel and a stem having a diameter smaller than that of the head, an operating connection between said plunger and the cap whereby the plunger is reciprocated upon axial reciprocation of the cap, said barrel having an opening in the wall thereof for the passage of air, a discharge passage for the expulsion of liquid by said plunger and valve means for closing said passage when the cap is in closed position.

13. A. liquid dispensing closure for containers comprising, in combination, a threaded skirt for engagement with a thread on a container neck, whereby the skirt may be secured in place on the container, a barrel for suspension in the container neck and having a controlled inlet port, a skirted cap telescoping over said threaded skirt, interengaging means on the threaded skirt and the cap, respectively, for releasably locking the cap in closed position, or" a reciprocating axial movement when said locking means are released, means for limiting such-axial movement and preventing removal of the cap, a plunger operating in said barrel, an operating connection between said plunger and the cap whereby the plunger is reciprocated upon axial reciprocation of the cap, a discharge passage or the expulsion of liquid by said plunger and valve means for closing said passage when the cap is in locked position.

14. A liquid dispensing closure for containers,

comprising, in combination, a threaded skirt for engagement with a thread onv a container neck, whereby the skirt may be secured in place on the container, a barrel for suspension in the container neck and having a controlled inlet port, a skirted cap telescoping over said threaded skirt, interengaging means on the threaded skirt and the cap, respectively, for releasably locking the cap in closed position, the cap being capable of the cap being capable a reciprocating axial movement when said locking meansare released, means for limiting such axial movement and preventing removal of the cap, a plunger operating in said barrel and having an internal bore or passage, the lower end of said bore `having Y av valve seat, a ported and headed thimble passing through an opening in the top of thev cap and engaging into the end of the plunger with a friction fit, the head of the thimble conning a portion of the cap between such head and the plunger, whereby cap, thimble and plunger are connected together as an operating unit and the plunger is reciprocated upon axial reciprocation of the cap, and a plug valve for seating in the said valve seat when the cap is in closed position, thereby to close the discharge passage through the plunger.

15. A liquid dispensing closure for containers comprising, incombination, a threaded skirt for engagement with a thread on a container neck, whereby the skirt may be `secured in pla-ce on the container, a barrel for suspension in the container neck and having a controlled inlet port, a skirted cap telescoping over said threaded skirt, interengaging means on the threaded skirt and the cap, respectively, for releasably locking the cap in closed position, the cap being capable of a reciprocating axial vmovement when said locking means are released, means for limiting such axial movement and preventing removal oi' the cap, a plunger operating in said barrel and formed of a plurality of drawn metal shells, an operating connectionr between said plunger and the cap whereby the plunger is reciprocated upon axial reciprocation of the cap, a discharge passage for the expulsion of'liquid by said plunger and valve means for closing said passage when the cap-f is vinlocked position.

16. A liquid dispensing closure for containers comprising, in combination, a threaded skirt for engagement with a thread on a container neck, whereby the skirt may be secured in place on the container, a barrel for suspension in the container neck and having a controlled inlet port, a skirted cap telescoping over said threaded skirt, interengaging means on the threaded skirt and the cap, respectively, for releasably locking the cap in closed position, the cap being capable of a reciprocating axial movement when said locking means are released, means for limiting such axial movement and preventing removal of the cap, a plunger operating in said barrel and formed of two drawn metal shells, the outer shell comprising a portion having a running t in said barrel and an annular head at its lower end, the metal inside said head being dished upwardly and inwardly to form a frusto-conical valve seat and then upwardly to form a tubular coupling, the inner shell having a tubular lower portion iitting over said coupling with a friction fit, and a tubular portion the edge of which is engaged by the upper end of said inner shell having an outwardly turned flange engaging the top rim of the outer shell, a ported and headed thimble extending through an opening in the top of the cap and having a friction t in the upper end of said inner plunger shell, the edge of the cap surrounding the cap opening being clamped between the head of said thimble and the top ange of the inner plunger shell, whereby cap and plunger are connected as an operating unit, and a conical plug valve for seating in said valve seat when the cap is in locked position, thereby to close the discharge passage through the plunger.

17. A liquid dispensing closure for containers comprising, in combination, a threaded skirt for engagement with a thread on a container neck, whereby the skirt may be secured in place on the container, a barrel for suspension in the container neck and having a controlled inlet port, a skirted cap telescoping over said threaded skirt, interengaging means on the threaded skirt and the cap, respectively, for releasably locking the cap in closed position, the cap being capable of a reciprocating axial movement when said locking means are released, a plunger operating in said barrel and having a piston-like end portion and a stem portion, an operating connection between said plunger and the cap whereby the plunger is reciprocated upon axial reciprocation of the cap, a discharge passage for expulsion of liquid by the plunger, valve means for closing said passage when the cap is in locked position, and a stop associated with said barrel for engagement by the piston-like portion of said plunger to limit the movement of the cap-plunger unit.

18. A liquid dispensing closure for containers comprising, in combination, a threaded skirt for engagement with a thread on a container neck, whereby the skirt may be secured in place on the container, a barrel for suspension in the container neck and having a controlled inlet port, a skirted cap telescoping over said threaded skirt, interengaging means on the threaded skirt and cap, respectively, for releasably locking the cap in closed position, the cap being capable of a reciprocating axial movement when said locking means are released, a plunger operating in said barrel, an operating connection between said plunger and the cap whereby the plunger is reciprocated upon axial reciprocation of the cap, a discharge passage for the expulsion of liquid by said plunger, valve means for closing said passage when the cap is in locked position, and interengaging stop elements on the threaded skirt and the cap skirt, respectively, for limiting axial movement of the plunger-cap unit.

19. A liquid dispensing closure for containers, comprising, in combination, a threaded skirt for engagement with a thread on a container neck, whereby the skirt may be secured in place on the container, a barrel for suspension in the container neck and having a controlled inlet port, a skirted cap telescoping over said threaded skirt, interengaging means on the threaded skirt and the cap, respectively, for releasably locking the cap in closed position, the cap being capable of a reciprocating axial movement when said locking means are released, means for limiting such axial movement and preventing removal oi the cap, a plunger operating in said barrel and having an internal bore or passage, the lower end of said bore having a valve seat, a ported and headed thimble passing through an opening in the top of the cap and engaging into the end of the plunger with a friction t, the head of the thimble confining a portion of the cap between such head and the plunger, whereby cap, thimble and plunger are connected together as an operating unit and the plunger is reciprocated upon axial reciprocation of the cap, a plug valve for seating in the said Valve seat when the cap in in clos-ed position, thereby to close the discharge passage through the plunger, said plunger having an internal shoulder surrounding said bore, and a oating check valve comprising a disk normally seating on said shoulder and a plurality of upstanding lugs for engaging said thimble to limit movement of the check valve.

RALPH W. WILSON. BRENT F. CAHOON. 

